Alien plants get the elbow

It’s big, it’s strong, it comes from the Himalayas and it stifles any living thing within reach.  No, not the mythical yeti, but the alien plant Himalayan balsam, which is leading an invasion of Dorset’s rivers.  Now Dorset Wildlife Trust & Dorset Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) have launched an offensive to give this and other harmful alien plants the elbow before it is too late for native river wildlife.

‘Return of the Natives’ is a 3 year project led by Dorset Wildlife Trust & Dorset Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and funded by Natural England, DEFRA and the Environment Agency, to remove Himalayan balsam from the Frome, the Bere Stream and the Moors River and their tributaries, and to examine the extent of the threat from other alien plants.

How Can We Help?

Top of the hit-list is Himalayan balsam, now the fastest growing annual plant in Britain.  Originally brought here by the Victorians, each plant can produce up to 800 seeds and can grow to a height of 3 metres, shading out all native plants.  Not only that, but once it has killed native plants with their stabilising root systems, river banks become vulnerable to erosion. 

Sarah Williams, Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “We need to do something about these aliens now.  Himalayan balsam already has a foothold on Dorset’s rivers, but if we act now we can stop it.  We are calling on volunteers who would like to help us in the task, which will start at the head of the rivers and work downstream, as otherwise the seeds could be carried down to new sites.  Dorset has wonderful rivers for wildlife ­ let’s keep it that way.”

Are there any more plants that are aliens?

Other aliens under investigation are skunk cabbage which has already appeared at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s East Stoke Fen reserve, and monkey flower which is starting to threaten other parts of the country.  Both are sold as aquatic plants.  Dorset Wildlife Trust recommends native plants for your garden pond or boggy area, including meadowsweet, purple loosestrife, marsh marigold and water forget-me-not.

The project will be launched on Tuesday 15th June at 11am on the River Hooke, a tributary of the Frome, at the first of a series of work parties.  All volunteers are welcome ­ contact Sarah Williams on 01305 264620 for details if you would like to help return the natives to our rivers.


 

-ENDS-
Notes to Editor

For more information please contact Sarah Williams at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
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About Dorset Wildlife Trust  www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Dorset Wildlife Trust was founded in 1961 to protect the wildlife and natural habitats of the county and now has over 25,000 members and manages over 40  nature reserves.  Most are open daily and there are visitor centres providing a wealth of wildlife information at Brooklands Farm, Lorton Meadows, Kingcombe Meadows and Brownsea Island Nature Reserves, The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and the Urban Wildlife Centre at Upton Heath Nature Reserve.

The largest voluntary nature conservation organisation in Dorset, DWT plays a key role in dealing with local environmental issues.  It leads the way in establishing the practices of sustainable development and engaging new audiences in conservation, particularly in the urban areas.